BCAUS Project description and consideration of separation of data and control

The commonly stated truths that data may be segregated from program control in generic expert system shells and that such tools support straightforward knowledge representation were examined. The ideal of separation of data from program control in expert systems is difficult to realize for a variety of reasons. One approach to achieving this goal is to integrate hybrid collections of specialized shells and tools instead of producing custom systems built with a single all purpose expert system tool. Aspects of these issues are examined in the context of a specific diagnostic expert system application, the Backup Control Mode Analysis and Utility System (BCAUS), being developed for the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) spacecraft. The project and the knowledge gained in working on the project are described

Self-Esteem Effects in the Measurement of Sex-Role Orientation

In a replication of a study which demonstrated a relationship between Masculinity and Independence, the nature of the relationship between Self-esteem and orthogonal Masculinity and Femininity di mensions was examined. Regression analyses for 212 female and 165 male undergraduates indicated that for both sexes, Masculinity was moderately correlated to Self-esteem, but that Femininity did not add to this prediction significantly. Scores for Independence were obtained from a subset of 24 females and 29 males by placing them in a conformity paradigm situation. The major hypothesis was that Masculinity would not contribute uniquely to the prediction of Inde pendence made on the basis of Self-esteem alone. Regression analyses indicated that neither Self-esteem norMasculinity were predictive of Independence scores for either sex. No conclusions could therefore be drawn about the precise nature of the relationship between Mascu linity and Self-esteem. Consideration is given to methodological de partures in the replication and the advisability of using a confor mity paradigm as a criterion behavior for masculinity

Mississippi\u27s Severance Tax And Forest Resource Development Program

Mississippi\u27s Forest Resource Development Pro- gram was the second state-sponsored forestry assistance pro- gram in the United States. It was authorized by the legislature tn 1974 in response to concerns over long-term availability of softwood timber. It is funded by a severance tax levied at the potnt of first processing. Since inception, 152,295 acres have been treated under the program. Severance tax rates were established in 1974 and remained constant until 1981. Costs rose rapidly during these years, and the only way to increase funds for the program was to cut more timber or raise the fixed tax rates, as was done in 1981. Such problems would be avoided •f severance taxes were levied on the basis of current product value

Mississippi timber removals - A ten year presentation

Mississippi is a major producer of manufactured forest products, and most of the timber required by Mississippi\u27s forest industry is produced and harvested within the State. A severance tax on timber harvested in Mississippi is paid to the Mississippi State Tax Commission, and annual reports of timber removals are prepared by the Commission

Timber severance taxes in Mississippi

Timber severance tax collections exceeded 2 million dollars in 1978 and 1979. Severance tax revenues are divided 25% to the state\u27s general fund, 25% to the county where the tax was collected, and 50% to support the forest resource development program.. AU severance tax rates are fixed on a per unit volume basis except on poles, piling, and post: which are taxed on a percentage of value basis

Direct association between mouse PERIOD and CKIepsilon is critical for a functioning circadian clock

The mPER1 and mPER2 proteins have important roles in the circadian clock mechanism, whereas mPER3 is expendable. Here we examine the posttranslational regulation of mPER3 in vivo in mouse liver and compare it to the other mPER proteins to define the salient features required for clock function. Like mPER1 and mPER2, mPER3 is phosphorylated, changes cellular location, and interacts with other clock proteins in a time-dependent manner. Consistent with behavioral data from mPer2/3 and mPer1/3 double-mutant mice, either mPER1 or mPER2 alone can sustain rhythmic posttranslational events. However, mPER3 is unable to sustain molecular rhythmicity in mPer1/2 double-mutant mice. Indeed, mPER3 is always cytoplasmic and is not phosphorylated in the livers of mPer1-deficient mice, suggesting that mPER3 is regulated by mPER1 at a posttranslational level. In vitro studies with chimeric proteins suggest that the inability of mPER3 to support circadian clock function results in part from lack of direct and stable interaction with casein kinase Iepsilon (CKIepsilon). We thus propose that the CKIepsilon-binding domain is critical not only for mPER phosphorylation but also for a functioning circadian clock

Surface-Based Observations of Contrail Occurrence Over the US, Apr. 1993 to Apr. 1994

Surface observers stationed at 19 U.S. Air Force Bases and Army Air Stations recorded the daytime occurrence of contrails and cloud fraction on an hourly basis for the period April 1993 through April 1994. Each observation uses one of four main categories to report contrails as unobserved, non-persistent, persistent, and indeterminate. Additional classification includes the co-occurrence of cirrus with each report. The data cover much of the continental U.S. including locations near major commercial air routes. The mean annual frequency of occurrence in unobstructed viewing conditions is 13 percent for these sites. Contrail occurrence varied substantially with location and season. Most contrails occurred during the winter months and least during the summer with a pronounced minimum during July. Although nocturnal observations are not available, it appears that the contrails have a diurnal variation that peaks during mid morning over most areas. Contrails were most often observed in areas near major commercial air corridors and least often over areas far removed from the heaviest air traffic. A significant correlation exists between mean contrail frequency and aircraft fuel usage above 7 km suggesting predictive potential for assessing future contrail effects on climate